2002 Ch. Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac

Only 41% of Lafites production made its way into the grand vin in 2002 such is the commitment to quality here. This has an obviously classy perfumed nose with a fresh and appealing purity. This is replicated on the serious palate with its lashings of ripe strawberry and black cherry fruit, new oak and firm tannins. From a relatively restrained start the wine develops beautifully in the mouth, with smoky dark fruit and tobacco hints leading to a firm, long finish. This is a strong candidate for wine of the vintage in 2002.Château Lafite Rothschild

Jancis

Parker

17/20

94/100

A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems.Robert M. Parker, Jr. - Wine Advocate - Issue#158 - Apr 2005